Premium Economy Class Getting Popular on India Flights

Budget conscious flyers are often to be seen in a look out for better services and facilities than economy but are not so inclined to splurge on business class fares. And in an endeavour to delight those discerning flyers, many international operating international flights services to India have started offering premium economy tickets.

Hong Kong based carrier, Cathay Pacific is already offering tickets for its premium economy on its Delhi-Hong Kong route in a bid to lure the huge segment of service-and-cost-conscious travellers.

Priced lucratively between economy and business class tickets in terms, it is becoming a preferred product type on long haul routes of more than 5 hours like that of India from the UK, for both business and leisure travellers.

Besides Cathay Pacific, other carriers offering tickets for new travel category on their long-haul flights to various destinations in India are Virgin Atlantic, British airways, Turkish airlines, Air France, etc. 

Richard Branson promoted Virgin Atlantic offers tickets for premium economy seats. The newest travel category has been one of the most popular products on the India-London and India-Newark flights operated by the carrier. 

Premier British carrier, British Airways has started offering tickets on the newest travel class to its passengers, who want to treat themselves to a little extra luxury aboard their long-haul flights. 

The news of several reputed carriers offering tickets for newest travel class aboard their flights connecting India is not only good news for the budget travellers but also the corporate flyers who wish to sample reasonably priced luxuries aboard their long-haul flights.

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IndiGo set to offer international flights to India

Budget airline IndiGo is planning to offer international flights in the near future as it expands its fleet.

The carrier is hoping to eventually offer flights to India from a number of destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, according to IndiGo's president, reports Bloomberg News.

Aditya Ghosh explained that the airline is unable to offer the new flights until August because of regulations but is already considering a sale-and-leaseback of 180 Airbus A320 planes.

The additional aircraft could help IndiGo compete with other India-based airlines such as Air India and Jet Airways.

Binit Somaia, the Sydney-based director for South Asia at the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation, said: "The Indian market is looking very strong. IndiGo should be successful on overseas routes if it can maintain its on-time performance and highly efficient operations."

The airline offers a number of internal flights within India, including flights to Mumbai from Goa, Kochi, Delhi and Lucknow.

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Air India Express resumes flights to Mumbai

Air India Express has confirmed that it is to re-offer passengers the chance to take flights to Mumbai from Bahrain.

The carrier is to offer the service twice a week and will also enable travellers to connect with flights to Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

It is expected that the flight will leave Bahrain at 14.05 for the city of Mumbai.

Air India has a fleet of 24 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with all offering economy class facilities and each with a capacity of around 180 seats.

As well as offering domestic flights within India, the airline flies to 14 other international destinations- Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Muscat, Salalah, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Columbo and Dhaka.

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Buddha Air launches Indian flights

A Nepalese airline is planning to launch new flights to India as it continues to expand.

Buddha Air recently developed from a domestic provider in Nepal to an international carrier by introducing flights to Bhutan and is now offering flights to Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

"We are starting with a 47-seater aircraft but will switch over to a bigger one once it catches on," Buddha Air's marketing manager, Rupesh Joshi, told IANS.

He added: "By March, we hope to start flights to Kolkata."

The carrier currently operates flights to nine destinations across Nepal and is set to offer three flights per week to Lucknow on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. If successful, Buddha Air has already been granted permission to offer flights to Kolkata, Varanasi and Patna.

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Kingfisher launches domestic Indian flights

Kingfisher Airlines has confirmed the introduction of five new flights to its domestic routes in the New Year.

Kingfisher Airlines has confirmed the introduction of five new flights to its domestic routes in the New Year.

The airline will begin offering flights to Mumbai from Jabalpur, Belgaum and Indore as well as adding interconnecting flights between Jabalpur, Belgaum, Indore and Mumbai.

"These flights are open for sale from Monday. The flights to Belgaum will commence from Jan 10th 2011 while the flights from Mumbai to Jabalpur and Indore will commence from Jan 24th 2011," explained Manoj Chacko, executive vice-president commercial at Kingfisher Airlines.

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More flights to India from Middle East planned

A key India-based airline is set to increase the number of flights to Delhi from locations across the Middle East.

Air India believes that the Gulf region is a crucial market and there is strong customer demand for such services, reports the Hindu.

In particular, the carrier could plan to offer flights from Middle East airports to a number of new destinations with all services travelling via New Delhi.

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Bangkok Airways resumes flights to India

Bangkok Airways has confirmed that it is introducing new flights to Mumbai and Dhaka in 2011.

Starting in March 2011, the airline is planning six flights per week to Mumbai from Bangkok using Airbus A319 aircraft. Capacity for the flight will be 120 seats. The flights to Dhaka from the Thai capital will operate seven times a week and will offer 162 seats on an Airbus A320.

Nandhika Varavan, vice-president of Bangkok Airways, explained the carrier is keen to expand into the Indian market and would lead to offer flights to New Delhi and Kolkata but is facing limitations due to traffic restrictions.

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Indian airline plans new flight agreement

Indian airline Kingfisher Airlines is to form a new code-share agreement with American Airlines in 2011.

The deal means that American Airlines will be able to put its code on Kingfisher Airlines domestic flights within India as well as on flights to Delhi and Mumbai from London Heathrow.

In return, Kingfisher Airlines will be able to code-share on American Airline flights to Delhi from Chicago and some services between the US and London.

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Jet Airways plans IT updates

India's largest airline has announced plans to team up with IBM to develop a ten-year improvement plan. Jet Airways is hoping that the $62 million (£39.6 million) agreement will lead to a better customer experience for those taking flights to India with the carrier.

In particular, IBM will provide a range of high-tech solutions to improve airport operations as well as updating the company's frequent flier programme.

Nikos Kardassis, chief executive officer at Jet Airways, said: "This association will enable us to focus on our core business and improve our operational efficiencies, besides delivering a seamless customer experience." Jet Airways currently offers flights to 65 destinations including New York, London, Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Dubai.

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Airline passengers 'would pay more for better experience'

More than half of British holidaymakers have stated that they would pay extra for flights to India or other destinations if it meant they had a better in-flight experience.

Research carried out by HolidayExtras.com revealed that 58 per cent of those surveyed would part with more cash if it meant they received free food and drink while in the air, had access to better in-flight entertainment and were more comfortable. In the 18 to 24 age group, four out of ten respondents claimed they would pay out up to ten per cent more to receive these benefits.

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Malaysia Airlines offering cheap flights in sale

Travellers seeking cheap flights to Australia could be in luck with Malaysia Airlines' latest sale.

Starting on January 23rd, passengers will be able to book seats for flights to Thailand, Australia and India, among other destinations for bargain prices.

Holidaymakers could pick up flights to Australia for £679 or to find fares to a range of south-east Asian destinations from £579.

The discounted prices are available on flights before March 26th or between April 4th and June 30th this year.

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